Public health issues toxic drug supply alert, Northumberland Paramedics confirm 18 overdose calls
By editor/reporter Sarah Hyatt
After overdose calls to paramedics doubled in recent weeks, public health has issued a warning about a toxic drug supply circulating in Northumberland.
“Lakelands Public Health is issuing an alert due to a high number of suspected drug poisonings related to paramedic service calls reported in Northumberland County,” said the health unit, in a recent release.
According to public health, the substance suspected to be behind the poisonings is fentanyl or “tranq” – which is also medically known as xylazine. According to a Government of Canada description, xylazine is a non-opiate veterinary sedative and analgesic that is not approved for human use in Canada. It can decrease bodily functions such as heart rate, breathing and blood pressure, and can also cause skin infections leading to necrosis.
The substance circulating locally has been connected to reports causing “extreme sedation, lasting hours, and may be difficult to rouse the individual.”
“It has been described as dark pinky-brown with purple flecks and crumbles easily,” explained public health staff.
Officials have also warned multiple doses of naloxone may be needed.
The health unit’s alert was issued last Friday Oct. 30 towards the end of the business day.
In response to follow-up inquiries around the alert that references increasing paramedic calls, Northumberland Paramedics Chief Susan Brown told the Independent that over the two-week span of Oct. 18 to 31, there were 18 overdose calls to paramedics.
In comparison, for the two-week reporting period prior – from Oct. 4 to 17 – there were nine calls over that 14-day period. For the two-week reporting period prior – from Sept. 20 to Oct. 3 – there were 12 calls, confirmed Brown.
Put another way, that totals 39 calls – solely to paramedics – since Oct. 3. Brown confirmed these figures with the Independent towards the end of the day on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Meanwhile, at this time, on Lakelands Public Health’s opioid poisoning weekly alert dashboard, it indicates for the week of Oct. 18 that there were 10 suspected drug overdoses reported through emergency departments. However, this is regional data not broken down by counties – and these were the latest figures available at press deadline.
There were also six suspected opioid-related deaths for the month of October, according to the latest online health unit data. The Independent also reached out to the health unit with additional inquiries surrounding the alert and recent deaths but did not hear back at press deadline.
Looking back at data for the last six months, the health unit’s figures indicate there were also six suspected opioid-related deaths in September, nine in August, seven in July, six in June, and 14 in May, translating to 48 suspected deaths specifically related to opioid poisonings. Figures for the four months prior total 23, translating to 71 suspected deaths across Lakelands Public Health’s area so far this year.
In its warning about the “pinky-brown” substance circulating, officials also reiterated that the unregulated drug supply may be contaminated with other substances. However, naloxone should still be used in all suspected overdoses due to the possibility of opioid contamination and/or poisoning, explained public health. The health unit also included a reminder that naloxone kits are free and available at its offices, certain pharmacies and other agencies.
The health unit also continues to encourage anyone who sees a person experiencing a drug poisoning to intervene, call 911, administer naloxone and start rescue breath and/or chest compressions. Officials are reminding residents that the Good Samaritan Act protects people trying to help in these emergency situations from possible legal repercussions – as well as protects people at the scene of an overdose from being charged for using or possessing drugs for personal use.
Public health issues “focused toxic drug supply alerts” in line with provincial practices when data and information received indicates “this information is urgent and could help the community.”
More information on harm reduction practices, local resources, naloxone, and signs on how to identify an overdose is accessible via the health unit’s website. Lakelands Public Health also has a drug information reporting form online, which people can access to anonymously report drug poisonings and/or drug-related information to help with local responses.
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